This somewhat woody herbaceous perennial wildflower can be difficult to photograph, for much the same reasons as the evening primrose. The flowers are often only partially open and cutting them seems to further invite closure, unless they are put in water immediately. I usually have a vase with water and pruning shears or scissors in the back of the RAV4 this time of the year for just this reason.

"If you pass by the color purple in a field and don't notice it, God gets real pissed off."